Car invades Christmas parade, leaving 5 dead in US

Five people were killed and more than 40 injured, including children, after an SUV plowed into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday (21/11).

Police said the car broke through the barriers surrounding the parade at about 4:30 p.m. (local time), while onlookers watched the traditional annual event in the city, about 170 kilometers north of Chicago and 30 kilometers west of Milwaukee.

Police say the number of deaths and injuries may change as more information is gathered. According to Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson, some of those affected were children.

Police stated that a “person of interest” was under arrest. According to the authorities, a police officer shot the sports car during the accident in an attempt to stop it. The car has been impounded.

It was not yet clear if the incident was linked to terrorism, but police said there were no longer any threats in the city of 72,000.

Thompson said Waukesha schools and streets would remain closed on Monday while the investigation into the incident continues.

“What happened in Waukesha today is disgusting, and I have full confidence that those responsible will be brought to justice,” said Attorney General Josh Cole, Wisconsin’s chief law enforcement official.

“Deafening cries and cries”

A video posted on social media shows a red SUV driving past the site of the show, apparently running over a dozen people, before the audience watching on the sidewalks rushes to offer help.

“The SUV came at full speed. So I started hearing people screaming,” said Belen Santamaria, 39, who was watching the show from the sidewalk.

Another spectator, Angelito Tenorio, said he saw the SUV speeding along the parade route. Then we heard loud noises and deafening screams from the wounded.”

According to witnesses and photos, the SUV entered a motorcade behind a school squad.

One woman told Fox6 TV that the SUV crashed into a dancing group of girls between the ages of 9 and 15. She said that the first reaction was silence, then screaming, running and helping the wounded. Videos posted on social media show small groups around girls wearing white balls scattered on the ground.

“There were pellets, shoes, and hot chocolate spilled everywhere. I had to go from one broken body to another to find my daughter,” Cory Montehu, a resident, told a local newspaper. My wife and daughters were almost injured. Please pray for everyone.

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin said via Twitter that it had received 15 patients as of 8 p.m. (local time), with no deaths reported so far.

A witness also said the driver bumped into a group of “dancing grandmas” (dancing grandmothers), and at least one person rolled over on the hood of the car, according to WISN-TV.

The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies posted on their Facebook page that “group members and volunteers are affected.” The profile describes “a group of grandparents who meet once a week to practice choreography at summer and winter parades.”

A Catholic priest and students from the Catholic School of Waukesha were among those infected, according to the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

White House regrets ‘horrific accident’

Advisers briefed US President Joe Biden on the incident. The White House is closely monitoring the situation in Waukesha, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this horrific incident. We are contacting state and local authorities to provide any support and assistance required.”

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said he and his wife “pray for Waukesha and for all the children, families and community members affected by this senseless act.”

The Christmas Parade is held each year in Waukesha on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, sponsored by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. This year, the theme for the 59th edition of the event was “Comfort and Joy”.